GIVEAWAY! Advance Screening Passes for Gemini Man
Los Angeles (100 Pairs)
Doom Patrol: Totally Insane and Well Worth the Trip
**Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided us with a free copy of the Blu-ray. We reviewed in this blog. The opinions we share are ours.
Let’s face it, there are way too many TV series about comic book superheroes. A few of them have been great fun; a couple of them even addictive. Most of them have been forgettable at best. (Is Cloak and Dagger even still on? Anybody?) But nothing is quite as bizarre and wonderful, in or out of the comic book ‘space,’ as the DC Universe’s Doom Patrol.
The Doom Patrol in comics form dates all the way back to 1963; it was a B- (maybe C?) level super-team created by Arnold Drake and Bob Haney (and artist Bruno Premiani) for DC Comics. They had the distinction of being one of the first set of heroes to be well and truly killed off in 1968, then brought back to life repeatedly, and ultimately transformed in 1989 by the rule-breaking comics writer Grant Morrison. And that’s when things got really weird. The hallucinatory, abstract, basically insane comic Morrison crafted with a variety of is still considered a classic, run, more than twenty-five years later…and it’s that warped vision of the DC Universe, superheroes, and comics in general that was the basis for the ongoing DC Universe TV series.
It’s insane, and it’s great. The production values are very high; the writers understand (as much as any sane person can) the stories and messages of Grant Morrison, and the actors playing the main “heroes,” and we use that term very loosely here, are excellent. Brendan Fraser, who supplies the voice of Cliff Steele (Robot Man), is foul-mouthed and hilarious, and when he is forced to make an actual appearance in the flesh presents a wonderful image of the dissipated heart-throb of decades past. April Bowlby, who plays the uncontrollably gloopy Rita Farr–known in the comics as Elasti-Girl–is both arrogant and charming. Matt Bomer, who supplies the voice and occasionally the face of Negative Man, the irradiated ex-astronaut who is inhabited by a mysterious creature made of “negative energy,” is wrapped in bandages like a Space Age mummy most of the time, but here, too–excellent voice work and in-the-flesh performances when called upon. And British actor and YouTubers Joivan Wade, as the tortured Cyborg, a high school kid who’s unexpectedly turned into half-machine, half-human by his manipulative father, provides a nice combination of classic heroism and rage that you have to admire.
José José, A Fan Remembrance
José José
Los Angeles ©2009 Angela María Ortíz S.
He was born José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz in Azcapotzalco, Mexico City, Mexico, but he was better known to the world as José José, “El Príncipe de la Canción” (Prince of the Song). This musical icon passed away at 71.
His career spanned five decades; he sold over 120 million records, which made him one of the most successful Latin American singers in history. There’s no doubt about his talent.
My introduction to José José was his hit song, “La Nave del Olvido” (1970). I was fourteen. I remember hearing the song on the radio and waiting to hear who the singer was, while at the same time I started looking for cash in my room so I could go buy it. Once I got my album—YES, ‘album,’ not ‘CD,’—I was hooked. Hooked to the lyrics, his interpretation, and his voice.
The Irishman In theaters November 1 and on Netflix November 27
We’ve only seen the trailer for The Irishman and we are intrigued. It looks good and has quite an impressive cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jack Huston, Kathrine Narducci, Jesse Plemons, Domenick Lombardozzi, Paul Herman, Gary Basaraba, Marin Ireland, and directed by Martin Scorsese.
Synopsis: Scorsese’s The Irishman, an epic saga of organized crime in post-war America told through the eyes of World War II veteran Frank Sheeran, a hustler and hitman who worked alongside some of the most notorious figures of the 20th century. Spanning decades, the film chronicles one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in American history, the disappearance of legendary union boss Jimmy Hoffa, and offers a monumental journey through the hidden corridors of organized crime: its inner workings, rivalries and connections to mainstream politics.
In theaters November 1 and on Netflix November 27.
Director Paul Kampf Talked to Us About His Film Imprisoned
Paul Kampf
©2019 Angela María Ortíz S.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with writer/director Paul Kampf to talk about the making of his film, Imprisoned. We had a lively exchange and you can watch it now.
The film stars Laurence Fishburne, Juan Pablo Raba, Juana Acosta, John Heard, Esai Morales, Jon Huertas, Edward James Olmos, and Ana Isabelle.
Synopsis: In the thriller, Imprisoned, Dylan Burke (Raba), attempts to move on from his former life as a criminal, with his true love, Maria (Acosta). He soon realizes that his past will continue to haunt him, when he learns the new local prison warden, Daniel Calvin (Fishburne), has not forgiven him for an old crime.
Calvin does everything in his power to make sure that Burke pays for his past mistakes, even going as far as to frame him for a murder he didn’t commit, landing him back in jail. When the prison erupts into a riot, Burke and Calvin are each forced to make a choice between righteousness and revenge.
In theaters September 20.
ZOMBIELAND: Double Tap Official Trailer
I couldn’t write the below description any better. Read on.
A decade after Zombieland became a hit film and a cult classic, the lead cast (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, and Emma Stone) have reunited with director Ruben Fleischer (Venom) and the original writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (Deadpool) for Zombieland 2: Double Tap.
In the sequel, written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick and Dave Callaham, through comic mayhem that stretches from the White House and through the heartland, these four slayers must face off against the many new kinds of zombies that have evolved since the first movie, as well as some new human survivors. But most of all, they have to face the growing pains of their own snarky, makeshift family.
Also starring Rosario Dawson, Zoey Deutch, and Luke Wilson.
Quick Giveaway! Aladdin!
*Contest Closed. Thank you for participating, stay tuned for our next GIVEAWAY!
We have THREE Digital Codes (each) of the Live Action and Signature Collection of Aladdin for THREE lucky winners.
Would you like to win copies of them? Then just click here to send us an email with your name and address (no P.O. Box).
We’ll draw the winners at 10A (PT), Monday, September 16! Please follow and share our social media pages: Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
The animated classic Aladdin joins the Walt Disney Signature Collection on Digital, 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere and on 4K Ultra HD™ and Blu-ray™ now.
**Disclaimer: U.S. Residents ONLY/NO P.O. Box. Only one entry per household. Entries on behalf of another person will not be accepted and joint submissions are not allowed. We will not accept entries of contestants who have claimed a prize in the last 6 months.
*Blu-ray or DVD based on availability.
El Norte at 35 the Immigrant Saga Returns
Gregory Nava
©2019 Angela María Ortíz S.
“There is a crisis on our southern border-families are being torn apart–children are put in cages Latinos were massacred in El Paso.” — Gregory Nava
The acclaimed, Oscar-nominated epic about immigrants from Central America seeking the promise the U.S. represented, returns to 200-plus movie theaters Sunday to mark National Hispanic Heritage Month and the film’s 35th anniversary.
The film, which was named to the U.S. National Film Registry, tracks the flight of two terrorized Guatemalans—Rosa (Zaide Silvia Gutierrez) and her brother Enrique (David Villalpando)—as they travel from their highlands village to Los Angeles.
Nava – 2
Nava – 1
A few of us got to sit down and catch up with director Gregory “Greg” Nava (My Family/Mi Familia, Selena) on the re-release of his 1983 classic, who he co-wrote with Anna Thomas. We covered how prevalent the film is thirty-five-years later.
He also said, after El Norte, he became an important director in the U.S.A. and international scene.
He invites everyone on Sunday, September 15th at 2pm to join him in theaters across the nation as we once again take the journey to EL NORTE. Thanks to Fanthom events.
Now listen in on our conversations. Just click on the audio boxes above.
Crawl: Simply Intense
By Brad Munson (The Dark Multiverse of Stephen King)
For all its splashing, thrashing, and–quietly literally–gnashing, Crawl is something of a relief. Make no mistake, this latest entry in the Animal as Monster horror/action subgenre that slithers all the way back to Jaws and beyond is intense. But it’s simple, too, in the best possible way: you’ve got a couple of characters you care about fighting to survive a big, relentless hungry animal with time running out. Will they live or die? Hang on to find out.
It’s straightforward, it’s linear, is easy to follow. You’ve got a tough college girl, a swimmer at UF Gainesville, who goes to fetch her estranged father before a big-ass hurricane hits, and ends up in a crumbling, flooding house with a wounded Dad and an alligator. Check that, a whole bunch of alligators. And really, that’s all you need to know. It’s the Florida Swamp. In a hurricane. It’s alligators, man. Enjoy.
Directed by Alexandre Aja, who gave us one of The Hills Have Eyes movies and the exemplary (?) Piranha 3D almost ten years ago, this is a well-made action flick without a wasted breath or missed jump-scare. And Michael and Shawn Rasmussen, who gave us John Carpenter’s The Ward a few years back and wrote and directed The Inhabitants, know what they’re doing when it comes to high-tension action. But English actress Kaya Scodelario, who you may remember for the Maze Runner movies or one of the Pirates of the Caribbean flicks, is the one who really holds this movie together. She’s in virtually every scene, and brings a tough, smart, never-give-up credibility that transcends your basic Final Girl trope. (And if she isn’t an Olympics-level swimmer in real life, she sure looks like it.) She is tough, and the next time you get caught in a flooding house full of alligators, you’ll want her to be with you. The only other actor worth remembering is Barry Pepper, who’s one of Those Guys; he’s a stand-up pro whose face you’ll recognize from a million things, and who delivers the flawed-but-brave Dad role right when he needs to. There are other people in Crawl, too, but almost none of them are named and almost none of them have more than a few lines before…well, you know, chomp. Don’t get too attached.
ANGELA MARÍA ORTÍZ S. PHOTOGRAPHY
Blu-ray and DVD Releases
Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal now on Digital!
The spectacular fantasy feature films from prolific genius Jim Henson the pop culture masterpieces Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal are set to unleash globally on Digital on February 6, 2024 by Shout! Studios in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company.
Movie enthusiasts and collectors will relish the definitive digital releases of Labyrinth (starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly) and The Dark Crystal (starring Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, and Frank Oz), available for purchase and/or rent across major digital entertainment platforms around the world.
Each movie boasts new digital key art and trailer. Whether reliving childhood memories or discovering these two ground-breaking movies for the first time, prepare to be spellbound as you embark on these mesmerizing cinematic journeys that will ignite your imagination like never before.
Moreover, Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal will be available together in a digital bundle on select platforms for the first time, allowing loyal fans and movie collectors to own and enjoy both iconic movies.
Jim Henson masterfully created completely original fantastical worlds that transcend imagination–brimming with magic and mystery, complete with a host of iconic characters. Whether it is the world of Thra, or the Goblin King’s Labyrinth, these unforgettable realms reflect Henson’s unparalleled talent to bring the magical, the whimsical, the bizarre, and the extraordinary to life.
Labyrinth is of special interest to David Bowie fans worldwide as the film contains original songs written and recorded by Bowie especially for the film.
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Marvel Studios’ The Marvels is available from all major digital retailers including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu now and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on February 13. Fans can add the film to their collection and access exclusive bonus content including deleted scenes, a gag reel, behind-the-scenes featurettes and an audio commentary from co-writer/director Nia DaCosta and VFX Supervisor Tara DeMarco.
Synopsis: Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel (has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole, her powers are entangled with super-fan Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together, this unlikely trio must team up and work together to save the universe.
The film stars Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani, Zawe Ashton, Gary Lewis, Seo-Jun Park, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Saagar Shaikh, and Samuel L. Jackson. Nia DaCosta directs, and Kevin Feige is the producer.
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Trolls Band Together
Get ready for an all-star family reunion like no other in the latest chapter of DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster musical franchise, now with a Sing-Along edition! As Poppy (Anna Kendrick) grows closer to her now boyfriend Branch (Justin Timberlake), she discovers his secret past as a member of her favorite boyband, BroZone, with his four estranged brothers. When Branch’s bro Floyd is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of nefarious pop-stars, Branch and Poppy embark on an action-packed journey to reunite the other brothers and rescue Floyd. Along the way Poppy uncovers a family secret of her own, a long-lost sister named Viva (Camila Cabello). Trolls Band Together features the franchise’s signature psychedelic joy-bomb of new and classic pop hits that will have you singing and dancing along over and over again!
Also starring Eric André, Amy Schumer, Andrew Rannells, Troye Sivan, Daveed Diggs, Kid Cudi, Zosia Mamet, and RuPaul Charles.
Trolls Band Together available to own now on Digital, 4K UHD, Blu-ray™ and DVD in the US, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
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True Detective: Night Country new season is on Digital now. It will be available on Blu-ray™ and DVD July 9, with bonus features. You can purchase online and in-store at major retailers. Pre-order your copy now.
True Detective: Night Country is available now to purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more.
Set in Alaska, True Detective: Night Country follows detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis), as they investigate the disappearance of eight scientists. When the long winter night falls in Ennis, Alaska, the eight men who operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station vanish without a trace. To solve the case, detectives Danvers and Navarro will have to confront the darkness they carry in themselves, and dig into the haunted truths that lie buried under the eternal ice.
In addition, the season also stars John Hawkes, Christopher Eccleston, Fiona Shaw, Finn Bennett, Anna Lambe, Aka Niviâna, Isabella Star Lablanc, and Joel D. Montgrand.
Issa López is the showrunner, writer, director, and executive producer.
Favorite Shot of the Day
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Piece by Piece by MoonBear
